Palazzese nets first win

But, now, about a quarter of the way into the Ontario Hockey League schedule, the Kitchener Rangers netminder can finally enjoy his first win of the season.

“It took a long time,” said Palazzese, who backstopped the Rangers to a 5-1 victory over the Windsor Spitfires Friday night at the Aud. “I knew I had to get it at some point. Thankfully it came on home ice.”

It has been quite a winless stretch for the Mississauga native — six games, five starts and 332 minutes between the pipes, to be exact.

The confusing part? Through it all, Palazzese posted a tidy 1.99 goals against average and solid .932 save percentage. Yet the wins eluded him. Oh, he came close. There was an overtime loss to Plymouth and the Rangers were edged in a shootout in Saginaw, but nary a victory.

“I don’t think it has been an issue of me not playing well,” said Palazzese, who hasn’t allowed more than three goals in a game this season. “I had to be mentally strong. I knew if I kept my play up it would come.”

The losing skid is all in the past now. Friday’s victory lifted the Rangers to 9-5-1-1 and helped the club remain a perfect 5-0 at the Aud this season.

The damage came early and quick. Two goals in 28 seconds by Tobias Rieder and rookie Justin Bailey gave the home side with a comfortable 2-0 advantage early in the second period.

It didn’t last long. About two minutes later, Windsor defenceman Nick Ebert potted his first of the year to cut the lead in half.

But a couple of Rangers who – like Palazzese – were long overdue, cemented the win in the final frame. Sophomore Brent Pedersen broke a 12-game goalless skid by scoring a pair while forward Domenic Alberga added his inaugural goal in a Rangers’ uniform. His wrist shot was also the first point by a Kitchener overage player this season.

Rangers’ centre Josh Sterk chipped in with three assists. Forward Nick Czinder did not play after the first period after suffering a cut – that required stitches – above his right eye.

“I’m really happy for Alberga,” said Palazzese. “I know he was really frustrated. He’s a hard-nosed guy and he deserved it. He’s been working hard for that goal.

“And for Pedersen too, in his (NHL) draft year, he got two goals and hopefully there were lots of pro scouts here to watch him.

“It’s good to have a breakout game for a lot of guys because we can carry that forward to Sunday.”

That’s when the Rangers are back in action at the Aud against the Owen Sound Attack (11-2-0-2). Game time is 7 p.m.

Palazzese nets first win

But, now, about a quarter of the way into the Ontario Hockey League schedule, the Kitchener Rangers netminder can finally enjoy his first win of the season.

“It took a long time,” said Palazzese, who backstopped the Rangers to a 5-1 victory over the Windsor Spitfires Friday night at the Aud. “I knew I had to get it at some point. Thankfully it came on home ice.”

It has been quite a winless stretch for the Mississauga native — six games, five starts and 332 minutes between the pipes, to be exact.

The confusing part? Through it all, Palazzese posted a tidy 1.99 goals against average and solid .932 save percentage. Yet the wins eluded him. Oh, he came close. There was an overtime loss to Plymouth and the Rangers were edged in a shootout in Saginaw, but nary a victory.

“I don’t think it has been an issue of me not playing well,” said Palazzese, who hasn’t allowed more than three goals in a game this season. “I had to be mentally strong. I knew if I kept my play up it would come.”

The losing skid is all in the past now. Friday’s victory lifted the Rangers to 9-5-1-1 and helped the club remain a perfect 5-0 at the Aud this season.

The damage came early and quick. Two goals in 28 seconds by Tobias Rieder and rookie Justin Bailey gave the home side with a comfortable 2-0 advantage early in the second period.

It didn’t last long. About two minutes later, Windsor defenceman Nick Ebert potted his first of the year to cut the lead in half.

But a couple of Rangers who – like Palazzese – were long overdue, cemented the win in the final frame. Sophomore Brent Pedersen broke a 12-game goalless skid by scoring a pair while forward Domenic Alberga added his inaugural goal in a Rangers’ uniform. His wrist shot was also the first point by a Kitchener overage player this season.

Rangers’ centre Josh Sterk chipped in with three assists. Forward Nick Czinder did not play after the first period after suffering a cut – that required stitches – above his right eye.

“I’m really happy for Alberga,” said Palazzese. “I know he was really frustrated. He’s a hard-nosed guy and he deserved it. He’s been working hard for that goal.

“And for Pedersen too, in his (NHL) draft year, he got two goals and hopefully there were lots of pro scouts here to watch him.

“It’s good to have a breakout game for a lot of guys because we can carry that forward to Sunday.”

That’s when the Rangers are back in action at the Aud against the Owen Sound Attack (11-2-0-2). Game time is 7 p.m.

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Palazzese nets first win

But, now, about a quarter of the way into the Ontario Hockey League schedule, the Kitchener Rangers netminder can finally enjoy his first win of the season.

“It took a long time,” said Palazzese, who backstopped the Rangers to a 5-1 victory over the Windsor Spitfires Friday night at the Aud. “I knew I had to get it at some point. Thankfully it came on home ice.”

It has been quite a winless stretch for the Mississauga native — six games, five starts and 332 minutes between the pipes, to be exact.

The confusing part? Through it all, Palazzese posted a tidy 1.99 goals against average and solid .932 save percentage. Yet the wins eluded him. Oh, he came close. There was an overtime loss to Plymouth and the Rangers were edged in a shootout in Saginaw, but nary a victory.

“I don’t think it has been an issue of me not playing well,” said Palazzese, who hasn’t allowed more than three goals in a game this season. “I had to be mentally strong. I knew if I kept my play up it would come.”

The losing skid is all in the past now. Friday’s victory lifted the Rangers to 9-5-1-1 and helped the club remain a perfect 5-0 at the Aud this season.

The damage came early and quick. Two goals in 28 seconds by Tobias Rieder and rookie Justin Bailey gave the home side with a comfortable 2-0 advantage early in the second period.

It didn’t last long. About two minutes later, Windsor defenceman Nick Ebert potted his first of the year to cut the lead in half.

But a couple of Rangers who – like Palazzese – were long overdue, cemented the win in the final frame. Sophomore Brent Pedersen broke a 12-game goalless skid by scoring a pair while forward Domenic Alberga added his inaugural goal in a Rangers’ uniform. His wrist shot was also the first point by a Kitchener overage player this season.

Rangers’ centre Josh Sterk chipped in with three assists. Forward Nick Czinder did not play after the first period after suffering a cut – that required stitches – above his right eye.

“I’m really happy for Alberga,” said Palazzese. “I know he was really frustrated. He’s a hard-nosed guy and he deserved it. He’s been working hard for that goal.

“And for Pedersen too, in his (NHL) draft year, he got two goals and hopefully there were lots of pro scouts here to watch him.

“It’s good to have a breakout game for a lot of guys because we can carry that forward to Sunday.”

That’s when the Rangers are back in action at the Aud against the Owen Sound Attack (11-2-0-2). Game time is 7 p.m.